People were jumping left and right off the Sharks playoff gravy train on Monday. “Michaek is no good”, “JR is old and can’t contribute”, “Thornton isn’t a big game player”, “Nabby isn’t playing like a Veizena nominee”, “Sharks have no heart”….blah, blah, blah. To these people, I want to say.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong and Really Wrong.

This team has answered the bell. Sure, Calgary was a seven seed, but they aren’t your ordinary seven seed. The Flames have an all world goalie and two superstars that no one seems to be able to contain. It was a supreme challenge, an amazing series – and the Sharks won the big game that has been their achilles for the last four years.

What does all this mean? This is the year.

Yes. This is the year the Sharks will go all the way and us fans here in San Jose will witness a Stanley Cup Final at the Tank. Will they sweep the Stars? No, they will stumble, they will make bad plays, they will probably lay a giant turd at some point like they did in Calgary during Game Six – but in the end, the Sharks are better and a date with Detroit is a fitting obstacle before getting their shot at the Big Prize.

I’ll give my thoughts on the series in more detail tomorrow. For now, let’s enjoy the moment.

The Sharks played in game 6 like they didn’t really want to win that bad, and they did a full 180 degree turn tonight.  The first few shifts were well-contested, but slowly, inexorably, it became clear the Sharks expected to win, and were willing to do what it took to win.  JR had four points, and provided all the emotion that the team was lacking on Sunday.  I don’t buy that crap that Ron Wilson sat JR because he was tired.  I hope Wilson doesn’t make that mistake again.  JR is incalcuably more valuable than Jody Shelley, although I do like Shelley very much.

The two obvious areas that the Sharks improved on were faceoffs and special teams, but I don’t think I’ll tackle that discussion just yet.  It’s time to pop a brew and enjoy it.

Cheers.

First of all – Kudos to Mike for a great showing on Teal Spiel tonight. It was awesome and nice to get a few shout outs for the blog from some callers. Thanks guys.

Listening to Chetan on the show and preparing myself to face the sea of Sharks fans tomorrow at work who are ready to throw themselves overboard makes me wonder what people’s expectations were of this series. We have been saying it from day one, this was the toughest possible match-up for the Sharks. The team I didn’t want them to face – yet here they are. Some guys haven’t played great (Michalek, Cheech, Grier, JR), some of the other players (Seto, Pavs, Vlasic,Clowe) have really stepped up – but in the end the reality is this series is all knotted up at 3-3. So my question is – why is everyone acting like the season is over? Talking about firing Ron Wilson, not resigning Brian Campbell – I admit, I had my doubts after the disappointing Game Three loss earlier in the series, when the Sharks blew a huge lead and appeared to be headed for an epic meltdown…but the boys responded. They have responded every time when faced with a challenge this series.

1) Lost Game One – The Sharks won Game Two in convincing fashion.
2) Total Meltdown in Game Three – Sharks showed guts and heart by coming back and stunning the Flames in Game Four.
3) Pivotal Game Five victory at home when the series was reset to a best of three.

While I agree, if the Sharks do lose on Tuesday night – changes are in store for San Jose – this season IS NOT OVER. Not yet. The “Stars” have alligend, no pun intended, for the Sharks to advance from this difficult series and battle with Dallas, a much better draw than ‘Da Ducks, who got their just desserts with an early exit. Peace out Selanne and Scotty N – too bad you wasted all that “retirement” time. The winner of the Avs/Wings is going to be so beat up – the Sharks have as good a path to the Cup as you could hope for at this stage. A win on Tuesday could mean the world. Let’s be positive – Let’s will them to victory.

On a side note, hearing Sharks Hockeybuzz columnist Danielle Marchell interviewed left me perplexed. She suggested that Michalek should be scratched? This isn’t the time to send a message. Who do you dress? Plihal? Goc? Why not throw in Frankenstein again. BRAINS!!! As for our entry in The Great Hockeyblogger on Hockeybuzz, the contest appears to have no end in sight…we are still waiting for our first blog to be published, by the way.

As for the scratching of JR tonight, I agree with Mike – this was a coaching decision and not an injury – and, in the end, it could end up being brilliant. JR must have been fuming – and he is a lock in my mind to play on Tuesday. A pissed off JR with a bruised ego and the best chance to win a Cup in his sights could be the Ultimate JR to have on the ice. Look for him to score a big goal and be involved all night. Come on big boy, bring home a win.

Sharks 3 Flames 2 (in OT)

Now that Colorado has won, the rest of the Western Conference first round could end tonight if the Sharks, Stars, and Wings all win.  Let’s hope the former happens.  I love game sevens.  But in round one, when the Sharks ‘should’ win, I don’t like to entertain the thought that they may not get out of it.  Stanley Cup Final?  A game seven would be awesome.  And don’t forget the game is on a bit earlier tonight- 5pm PDT.

After the game, be sure to tune into the Teal Spiel on 1220AM.  I will be guest hosting, and we will be talking to callers all night.  Or if you go their website, you can stream it over the internets.   And if you miss it, just go to the first link a day or so after and get it as a podcast (fancy term for mp3).  If there’s a game 7, we’ll talk about that, and if all the teams above win, we’ll be talking about the upcoming series with Dallas.

For the third game in a row, the team that scored first lost. But like game 4, the Sharks’ steady pressure seemed to cause cracks in Calgary’s facade. And now, most of the Sharks’ best players are playing very well. Michalek would be the exception, but he did seem to a make a strong move or two last night that neither grier nor I had seen in a while. Nothing really panned out, but at least he’s starting to realize that 12 five-foot passes isn’t going to work.

In a series that’s been as tough and hard-fought as this one, there were a hell of a lot of pretty goals last night. Pav’s goal was just good positioning, but Marleau’s goal and Cheech’s first were of real highlight-reel quality. Both were lasers to the top corner, over the glove. And Cheech’s was on a 2-on-1, a recipient of a beautiful pass. You might say those Sharks had frickin’ laser beams on their sticks (sorry, couldn’t resist). The third was Calgary’s tic-tac-toe PP goal to make it 4-2. You just had to shake your head at that one. It was only about a 5 milliseconds into the Flames’ power play.

If Sharks fans are thinking the Sharks are in the driver’s seat, they’re right. But if they’re thinking San Jose just needs to keep the pressure up, and watch Calgary fold, they ain’t. This team demands respect- they do not quit, ever. Sure, they have their breakdowns and lapses like any team, but as last night’s bowel-clenching comeback indicates (thanks, El Burro!), they never stop. They will fight to the last whistle. And oftentimes past it.

McLaren only played 5:15 last night, Carle only 7:53, and Shelley only 1:35. The McLaren thing I guess makes sense; he’s obviously hurt. Maybe Carle’s on RW’s bad side again, but he’s been playing well. But Shelley only two shifts all game? It’s a waste of a roster spot. Unless Shelley is throwing out some Frederick Douglass type speeches on the bench (I’d buy that CD in a heartbeat), either play Jody more or get Curtis Brown out there. Essentially the Sharks were running 4 D and 3 centers. Not the best playoff strategy. You need a steady stream of fresh legs, and essentially running 15 skaters isn’t the way to stay healthy and jumping.

In other news, I’ll actually be in the booth for The Teal Spiel show this Sunday night at 10pm. It’ll be Chetan and myself, waxing poetic about the Sharks for an hour and a half. Please call in with your comments. I have a decent Sharks trivia question ready too, if I’m allowed. Either way it should be a blast, and there will be lots to talk about. At least after last night, we can be sure the Sharks will still be playing.

And stop caring about the Sharks so much… nah. While this time of year may be psychologically damaging in terms of the highs and lows, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Luckily, I have just enough perspective (barely) to see that this is one helluva series so far. If I weren’t a Sharks fan, I’d want it to go seven for sure. As a Sharks fan, I don’t know if I could take it.

After a meltdown for the ages (or, as the Calgary papers put it, the Flames had a comeback for the ages) in game three, the Sharks post a comeback for the ages (or, as the Calgary papers put it, the Flames did a meltdown). And now, when I had the Sharks all but buried, they show some chutzpah. Although the game might not have been as dominating as the 22 shot differential indicates, the Sharks did control play. As much as I hate the cliche, “your best players have to be your best players”, Calgary have given themselves the best chance to win by living exactly that. Kipper is amazing, Iginla is dangerous every shift, and between big hits, every Phaneuf shot seems to have eyes for the net. It was the Sharks’ best players that came out in the last five minutes of the game, and that made the difference.

What can you say about game 5? Don’t miss it. Without question, the Sharks need to make quicker decisions in their own zone to neutralize the gutsy forecheck. I know this isn’t the Sharks’ system, but I’d want to see a winger out in the neutral zone for a stretch pass- hopefully that would keep the D from jumping up to the red line, or sometimes, even the blue line.

To anyone who said that Joe Thornton isn’t a big game player….it’s time to eat some humble pie. #1 Star and perhaps…just perhaps…the biggest goal in Sharks franchise history when you think of the consequences if the Sharks lost this game.

I’ve calmed down now…a little

Last night at my house, I was a disaster as I watched the Sharks slowly crumble under the physical nature and playoff pressure of Game 3 in Calgary. All the questions that have been raised are all valid and, as we all know, none of them are new issues. San Jose Mercury News columnist Mark Purdy says it all in his article in today’s paper hitting all the relevant concerns.

1) Why do the Sharks always take the foot off the gas when they get a big lead? This pattern repeats and repeats and I have to point the finger at Ron Wilson on this one. While the players play the game, how do you stand by and watch your boys sit back and chase the opposition around – hoping that Nabby can hang on to the victory. This doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked. It will never work. I wanted the Sharks to try and win last night 7-1 and instead, after Kipper got chased, they stopped pressing and gave Calgary the glimmer of hope they needed to come back.

2) Patrick Marleau showed some balls last night, I’ll give him that – but the rest of the Sharks were completely nutless. Shame on them for allowing their Captain to get bloodied twice without exacting any kind of revenge on one of Calgary’s top players. Where was Jody Shelley? He was only given four minutes of ice time… Where was Dougie Murray? Where was Craig Rivet even? Someone should have done something to send the message that this type of tactic will not fly with the 2007-08 Sharks. Instead – they proved physical play is their kryptonite once again. The Sharks can be bullied without any fear of response.

3) People have been saying Joe isn’t a big time playoff performer, but I have to disagree. Last year Joe had 11 points in as many playoff games and the year before he had nine in eleven. Calgary has put all their focus on shutting down the Thornton line because it worked so well for them during the regular season. As for Brian Campbell, his weaknesses have been exposed in this series. He is allergic to physical play and has been a non-factor, making noticeable errors in his own zone. His +1 with one assist doesn’t really tell the tale of his series so far.

Tomorrow night is not only a pivotal game in the series, but a landmark game for this franchise. If the Sharks go down again, this will be a different team next year with a different coach behind the bench. The roster turnover could be high, with some surprising names leaving town. Campbell might not be resigned and other veterans will likely be cut loose as well. But if, somehow, the Sharks can shake their playoff demons and gut out a Game 4 victory – they can put this all behind them.

I’m nervous as hell. Are you?

This must be backwards day, because I actually agree with Garner.  If this were a team that fought hard to the very end the last couple of years in the playoffs, only to come up a bit short, I wouldn’t be so fatalistic about the Sharks’ chances.  But the fact is, they folded like a cheap suit last year, and the year before that.  Now that they turtled up like a high school wrestler in a UFC fight, I have to think the outcome will be the same.

Technically, there are more games to play, and technically, it’s not over.  But for all intents and purposes, I think the season has about 20 minutes left.  The first period of game 4.  If the Sharks don’t show something different in the next 20 minutes of hockey, the playoffs are over for them.  Calgary did exactly what they needed to do when they fell behind 3-0: they started running people, and dished out as many borderline hits as they could muster.  Keenan’s bitching after Game 2 did its job- the refs looked the other way while the Flames created some momentum out of thin air.

Now it’s the Sharks’ turn.  They have to create something out of thin air.  Or else the postseason will go up in a puff of smoke and barely a whimper.